Muscle Cramps

Muscle Cramps is a sudden contraction of muscle that may feel extremely painful. Cramps are common among healthy people, especially during or after energetic exercise. Older age people will suffer more even just light exercise or during rest/sleep.

Cramps are caused by inadequate blood supply to the muscles. Cramp will mostly happen after eating, since most of blood is supply to the digestive system rather than muscles. Moreover, low blood level of electrolytes, such as potassium occasionally cause muscle cramps.

First Aid Treatment:

Cramps usually will relive on their own without treatment. Make sure always calm down and relax by having slow deep breathing through mouth.

To speed the healing process, we can:-

1. Gently stretch and massage the cramping muscle.

2. Apply an ice massage to the cramped muscle.

3. If leg cramps, fully straightening the leg and bending over and grabbing the end of the toes, the cramp will eventually relieve.

4. Application of muscle pain relief cream.

5. Drink beverages contain potassium, such as water with salt.

Preventions:-

• Do stretching and warm up before and after exercises.

• Do not smoking and consuming caffeine before.

• Consume foods and beverages high in potassium.

* Isotonic drink(100plus) helpful also.

References: M. H. Beers, A.J. Fletcher, T V. Jones, R. Porter, J. L. Kaplan. 2003. The Merck Manual of Medical Information 2th home edition. Merck & Co., Inc. http://sportsmedicine.about.com/od/legpainandinjuries/a/muscle_spasms.htm

Fainting

Fainting is sudden loss of consciousness. It is symptom of not enough of oxygen and nutrient supply to the brain. It may occur if the heart cannot pump sufficiently and then decrease of blood flow to the brain. Usually you will see the victim may turn pale, weak and starting unconscious. This may occur on younger as well as older people.

Fainting usually is not so serious if it is caused only because of fatigue, stress, dehydration, excessive sweating, and wrong standing or sitting posture. Lying flat will automatically restore consciousness after fainting. This is partly because the victim is lying down and blood can smoothly flow without the need to against gravity.

In first aid, what should the witnesses do is:-

1. Raise the victim legs to speed up recovery by increasing blood flow to the brain.
2. Fan the victim.
3. Always remember check the patient heart beats rate for in case.
4. Put the casualty in recovery position if you are leaving the casualty alone to find help.
5. Give a glass of sugar drink after the victims awake.

References: M. H. Beers, A.J. Fletcher, T V. Jones, R. Porter, J. L. Kaplan. 2003. The Merck Manual of Medical Information 2th home edition. Merck & Co., Inc.